ECERS first became a prominent audit tool after it was used as part of the EPPE study.
I conducted two assessments on two days. Areas that performed very well included relationships with parents, meeting and departing times. At Southwark Nursery we are lucky to have an extra person whose role is to meet and greet parents before the children go to their key person groups. This ensures that all children are greeted individually by name and any issues there might be first thing are dealt with promptly.
We are inclusive and cater well for many children with language delay, physical additional needs or EAL. Another area that did well in the audit was room layout for play. The nursery is set up to include workshop and creative areas as well as free flow access to the outdoor learning environment.
What should we improve on?
Surprisingly, health and hygiene came out quite low. Children help themselves to a snack during the course of the morning and as a consequence often did not wash their hands beforehand. This was quickly addressed by providing visual prompts for the children to wash hands before snacking and having a chat with them about the importance of handwashing. We ensured an adult was nearby to prompt the children before they sat down for their snack!
Another area highlighted was a lack of blocks for construction and imaginative play. The head teacher kindly supported the nursery by placing an order with Community Playthings for a large set of unit blocks.
The final area I had not picked up on prior to the audit was furniture for relaxation and comfort. As the nursery is double funded and the children are here all day, it is essential they have a place to rest and chill out. Part of my nursery budget will be going towards soft furnishings and developing communication-friendly spaces in line with the approach developed by Elizabeth Jarman. More of that to come in my next instalment!
